My Newest Love

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving.

I think that I have found my latest LOVE, her name is GIGI and she makes cupcakes. While shopping on Wednesday (pre-Black Friday) I kept seeing people carrying these super-cute pastry boxes. So finally we asked someone and they pointed us in the right direction to the cupcake stand. When I say cupcake stand it is definately an understatement. This was a designer cupcake stand that had pewter serving trays and a strong following, the line was super long.

After getting up to the stand there were so many choices. I asked the cupcake girl what the favorite was and she said the Texas Chocolate and the Red Velvet. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Red Velvet so I went with her suggestions and was impressed. GIGI's cupcakes were fabulous and worth the splurge. Don't worry I took pictures to document the cupcake adventure.

Uncle Jack shares in my LOVE of Red Velvet. He was able to splurge too!

Up close with the cakes-YUMMY!

We LOVED every bite!

After...

The super-cute box matched Mal's sweater!

She was so thrilled to be posing with a cupcake box...

I would recommend GIGI's cupcakes to everyone and I can't wait to eat them again!

Happy Saturday-

Love the Cupcake Lover, MKH

Lets Be Thankful....

I saw this and thought I would share..

Lets Be Thankful...for everything.

Be Thankful Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire, If you did, what would there be to look forward to? Be thankful when you don't know something for it gives you the opportunity to learn. Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow. Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement. Be thankful for each new challenge because it will build your strength and character. Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons. Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made a difference. It is easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.Find a way to be thankful for your troublesand they can become your blessings. Author Unknown.

Love, MKH

C-A-T-S, CATS, CATS

As the end of football season is approaching, the start of basketball is in full swing. If you have been living under a rock you may not know that John Calipari is the new Cats' coach. He is a media monger who genuinely looks excited to be at UK. I have gotten my Coach Cal fix since the BF is a huge follower.

In the spirit of basketball the BF and I went to the UK game last night. For those that have not heard it was a close game until the very last seconds. The game was packed and I was wedged between the BF and a college kid that had food-caked braces who was yelling pleasantries like, "Miss it," and "Boooooooo." When I say yelling I mean every other word. He and his buddy were doing the play by play after every move. I was expecting to see a headset with a microphone at some point (maybe they were practicing to be broadcasters, who knows). The older lady that sat next to the BF was decked out in the cutest UK gear that was circa 1970. She had the UK blue woven sweater with stitched cat paws. I wanted to ask where she got it but I didn't think it would be available in any retail establishment. She was so spunky and she was defiantly giving the referees a hard time, she had the enthusiasm of a younger fan. I was I could have sneaked a picture.

Even though the game was too close for comfort and the BF was on edge we had a great time. I have seen my dad and grandfather get nervous and get really into games before and the BF was no different last night. He was taking off his hat (nervous #1), chewing his nails/cuticles (nervous #2), and biting his lip (nervous #3). The game was a nail-biter and thankfully John Wall pulled out a buzzer beater at the end. It was a rocky start to the season and hopefully Cal's cats can get it together and FAST!!!

UK vs. Miami Ohio

My favorite part is when they bring out the flags... GO BIG BLUE

The BF and I before the game!

I hope everyone has had a great Tuesday!

Love, MKH

Poor Puppy...

I was so excited to give Hagan those treats, I mean I can't describe how excited I was. When I gave them to her she licked, chewed, and wagged her tail with delight. What I was seeing as a twinkle in her eye turned into a mean cookie monster in her belly. The BF said she has been sick and is kind of mopey since this morning.

I feel absolutely awful about her not feeling well. I always thought it was funny when the BF would say that Hagan had a sensitive tummy but I guess she really does. As someone who has stomach issues I can sympathize with her. I hope that she does not associate seeing me with feeling bad and having belly aches. Just when I had gotten her to warm up to me...

Happy Friday and enjoy the weekend!

Love, MKH

Woof Woof...

So I blogged earlier today about trying to get a good jump on my Christmas shopping, I was convinced that I was going to be super productive. After making my first stop at Sonic for a sweet tea I hit the shops on Clay Avenue thinking I would find super-cute things. I could not have been more disappointed. I went to the Paperweight and to Peggy's and came up empty-handed. I think today must have been hateful employee day because all the sales people at the stores were less than welcoming.

While trying to parallel the Honda (which is no easy feat for me) I saw this super cute bakery and thought I would venture in. After leaving the Paperweight bag-less and a bit discouraged I walked next door and to my surprise the bakery was not a bakery it was a BARKERY. I noticed a sign on the front door saying that all animals must be on a lease, but thought that this shop was dog friendly. Imagine my expression when I walked in and there before me were dogs and their owners shopping/eating.

Rather than turn immediately and walk out I decide to walk around and see what they've got. Obviously this place is popular because there are people/dogs everywhere, and when I say dogs I don't mean those yippee purse dogs I mean like full size big horse dogs. I walk from room to room and finally make it to the back to the front where I decide that I am not interested in they are selling, and then I see what a display case with what looks like people treats. The treats look so real and yummy but they are only for four-legged creatures. I was slightly disappointed but figured while I was there I would pick up a few treats for Hagan. The BF says I bribe her to win her affection. I don't dispute that and I realize that if she and I have a bond that is based on treats/gifts I am fine with that.

Granted, Hagan has yet to try these awesome looking treats but I have heard great things about this BARKERY. As I was leaving the guy working the counter says, "Hey, follow us on Twitter." I smiled and thought oh my gosh what is the world coming to, dogs are even on twitter. I have posted some pics below of the super cute shop and the yummy looking treats. Hopefully Hagan will like them, she has a birthday coming up and I am sure she will expecting a cake/something from me since I try to reward her as much as possible (I know it is terrible, but I am trying to forge a friendship...haha)

Love the store-front!

A variety of goodies...they look so real!

A gluten-free doggie cupcake with sugarless sprinkles

They even come with cute paper wrappers...I love the cherry topper

A cocoa-free eclair. I wonder if dogs count their calories?

I still can't get over how bakeresque the BARKERY was. The guy working the counter was wearing an apron and he even picked each pastry out with the tissue paper as if it was a real bakery. Since finding this place I have googled and apparently they have more than one location and they get fantastic reviews.

For the dog-lover here is the link to the site....

http://www.bluegrassbarkery.com/

The funniest thing about the whole day was that the treats for Hagan was my only successful purchase.

I hope everyone had a great day

Love, MKH (the dog-briber)

Happy Veterans Day..

I am so excited that today is Veterans Day... not only do I appreciate all of the service men and women but I have the day off. I am so thrilled! I was able to sleep in and I am about to head out to start my errands. Goals #1-10 for the day is to get the bulk of my Christmas shopping done. I am going to try and get as much done as possible so I don't have to fight those awful crowds, drive in that horrible traffic, or risk not finding the perfect gift. I will be sure to post on all my of gifty treasures. Wish me luck!

I hope everyone has a fabulous day.

Love, MKH

I LOVE LUCY

I saw this today and thought it was fantastic....

"One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn't pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself."

-Lucille Ball

Lots of Love from Lucy-

Love, MKH

She Runs the House

When I began dating the BF I knew that he had a furry four-legged friend, but I was not aware that she ruled the house. Hagan (the dog/daughter of the BF) has made it clear that she is in control. I will admit the whole hyper dog made me a little nervous/anxious at first. Lets be honest, it made me very nervous. Hagan would do laps around the house, she shed like nobody's business, and I think she could sense my apprehension.

Well Hagan and I have been together for over a year and I think that we have developed an understanding. I have realized that Hagan set up her terroritory before I came along and I know that it has been just as difficult for her. Over the past year I have gone from watching Hagan from across the room and hoping that she would not come close (for fear of jumping, licking, massive shedding) to enjoying her being around. She still has her moments where she doesn't know what to think of me, she still barks when I get close to the BF, and she knows that I am a sucker for her sad face.

Hagan has destroyed toys I have gotten for her, she has scratched my legs, slobbered water on my bare feet, but I think she is beginning to like me. I honestly don't think that she was ready to share her dad with anyone, and maybe that is where some of the tension stems from. Slowly but surely I have seen that tension melt away. She will sit with me on the couch and she evn wags her tail when I walk in the door (sometimes...) and hopefully she doesn't think of me as the Evil StepMother.

Hagan's glamour shot...

Who knows, after getting Hagan to warm up to me I may be a dog person after all. Thats probably a bit much, but never say never!

Happy Dog Day-

Love, MKH